Toddler spends five days in hospital suffering from 'worst case of chickenpox ever seen' after being denied GP appointment

A toddler suffered the "worst chickenpox doctors had ever seen" after his mother was allegedly turned away by a GP's receptionist.

Two-year-old Jasper Allen spent five days in hospital after his severe chickenpox sores – which covered every inch of his body – became severely infected.

But mother Sarah Allen, 36, claims less than 48 hours before she was refused an appointment at her local GP surgery because a receptionist did not think the condition was severe enough to warrant a visit.

Jasper was rushed to hospital his mother was refused an appointment at her local GP surgeryCredit:
Mercury Press

Nursery manager Mrs Allen, from St Neots, Cambridgeshire, said: "I was one of those parents who couldn't wait for my two to get chickenpox so then it was out of the way – I didn't think there was any harm in letting him get it.

"But to see him get it like that and see how it took over his body was just heart-breaking. Nearly every child I've ever had in my care has had chickenpox at some point, but never like this.

I knew I wasn't being a neurotic mother - I have two children and have run a nursery and seen hundreds of kids with chickenpox before so I knew this wasn't normalMother Sarah Allen

"It was definitely not 'just chickenpox' and I want people to realise this.

"People say their child had bad chickenpox, but when we show people pictures of Jasper none of them can believe just how bad it was.

"Everyone's reactions in the hospital were just complete shock over how severe it was – the doctors all wanted to come and see this worst ever case of chickenpox.

"There was even talk about using the pictures for a medical journal. One of the paediatric nurses with 40 years' experience said she had never seen anything like it.

"It shouldn't have affected a healthy two-year-old as badly as it did – imagine how it could have affected a child with a compromised immune system."

Mrs Allen, who also has daughter Poppy, five with 38-year-old postman husband Keith Allen, noticed a few spots on Jasper in July after the child had first developed scarlet fever the week before.

The following morning, July 13, he had "hundreds" of spots. Mrs Allen then called her local GP's surgery to book him an appointment but claims a receptionist told her "every mother thinks their child has bad chickenpox" and that this wouldn't be necessary.

The next day, as Jasper's temperature continued to rise, she took him to the same GP surgery and he was prescribed antibiotics and oral medication for an infection.

Several hours later his condition had not improved so Mrs Allen visited A&E at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon where he was quickly admitted onto the children's ward and spent five days in hospital on an IV drip and antiviral medication, antibiotics and morphine.

Mrs Allen said: "When I first called our local GP's surgery I spoke to the receptionist to make an appointment for Jasper but when I told her it was chickenpox she said to me 'every mother thinks their child has bad chickenpox'.

The sores which covered every inch of Jasper's body became infectedCredit:
Mercury Press

"I knew I wasn't being a neurotic mother – I have two children and have run a nursery and seen hundreds of kids with chickenpox before so I knew this wasn't normal.

"They should listen to parents more – we know our babies better than anybody in the world.

"When Jasper was admitted to hospital, it was scary but I was also relieved I was actually being taken seriously and they were doing something about it.

"As we were sat in the waiting room waiting for a bed I could see this redness in his chest spreading all over him before my eyes.

"We couldn't hold him for three days because he screamed every time we touched him. It is worse when it's your own child because all you want is to take the pain away for them, it broke my heart."

Mrs Allen said doctors do not know why the chickenpox Jasper contracted was so severe and he is undergoing heart scans to make sure there are no lasting effects.

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She is now calling on the government to make the chickenpox vaccination part of the NHS's routine childhood immunisation schedule so it is automatically available for all children.

Mrs Allen said: "We are one of the only countries who do not routinely vaccinate against chickenpox - Europe, the USA and Australia all now do.

"My kids have had all their immunisations but this was not something that ever crossed my mind to vaccinate them against privately.

"I don't want this to be a debate about vaccination – I don't care if you do not want to vaccinate your child, but sign the petition so everyone else has the choice."

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "Chickenpox is usually a mild illness in children with most recovering quickly.

"The vaccine is not routinely offered to children although the Government's expert vaccination advisors are reviewing this.

"The vaccine aims to protect those who are at risk from serious illness.

"That's why it is recommended for children with family members who are undergoing medical treatments such as chemotherapy which can affect immunity."

A spokesman for Cambridge and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: "The CCG is unable to comment upon individual patient cases.

"However in the event that a child contracts chickenpox, the NHS offers the following advice and information:

"Chickenpox is usually a mild illness from which most children recover on their own.

"Symptoms include a high temperature, aches and pains, and a rash of blisters. These usually pass within a week or two, and the blisters dry up and fade.

"The best treatment is to use soothing creams and/or appropriate doses of paracetamol to ease any discomfort, while keeping your child hydrated by giving them lots to drink.

"It is highly advisable that parents and carers keep a watchful eye on children who have chickenpox, as complications, although rare, can develop – especially in children who are very young, are on other medications or who may have a weakened immune system.

"If you are ever concerned about your child's health then call NHS 111 who can give advice or refer to an appropriate NHS service, including A&E if necessary.

The CCG is not responsible for the chickenpox vaccine; this comes under the remit of Public Health England."